PAPA System Radio: First Power-Up & Repeater Test! #shorts
Assembling an amateur radio repeater from PAPA System Group parts. Testing for fan noise and runaway transmit modes before faceplate swap. Ready to power on!
👉 Full Video: https://youtu.be/wMUwT9DaeTs
👉 Find this radio on eBay: https://geni.us/V3nci9
👉 Get the TOADs DI or DI6 here: https://temporarilyoffline.com
👉 3d Printed Case: https://hamradiolife.shop/KM9G (5% off with code KM9G)
👉 Surecom SW-102 Meter: https://geni.us/IAKUo
👉 Surecom SW-102 Case: https://geni.us/RYRBl
👉 100w Dummy Load: https://geni.us/eTZ18Uh
👉 DC Power Meter: https://geni.us/mt4hG
@charlesneal4603 is wondering if there is an ionosphere activity level website. Does NASA provide this data? Ionospheres exist, so where can the data be found?
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Videographed and Edited by Teagan Kulbeth, KF0UTR
#amateur radio
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#icom 7300
#antenna
#dipole
#end fed dipole
#mag loop
#magnetic loop antennas
To learn more about me, visit: https://dcasler.com
To support my channel financially, visit: https://dcasler.com/support (offers several options)
To pose an Ask Dave question, email to askdave@arrl.org. Feel free to include pictures or drawings to help clarify. I may answer your question directly, via an Ask Dave video, or in my monthly column "Ask Dave" in QST.
Theme music is "Sour Tennessee Red," by John Deley and the 41 Players, courtesy YouTube Music Library. You can listen to the entire song here: https://youtu.be/Vfc9sAQjJtc
I use drawings from OpenClipArt.org, including the "walking man"
Thanks to my sweet wife, Loretta, KBØVWW, for both audio and video assistance! (Her website is www.aldea-art.com.)
My primary website: http://www.dcasler.com
My publishing website: http://www.mtsneffelspress.com, where you can find my fantasy and science fiction books.
My Amazon author page, which lists my print and Kindle books: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00471I0Q4.
How Raising Your Antenna Affects SWR (Yagi Tune Fix)
Today I’m tuning the Yagi after raising it another 6–7 metres on the upgraded mast. As expected, the resonant frequency has shifted higher, so the job is to bring it back down into the right part of the band. Rather than starting again, I’m extending the elements slightly and trying a simple little loop on the ends – partly for RF behaviour, partly because it just feels like a neater way of doing it. This "loop fix" is not about current heating the ends – it’s voltage trying to escape. A sharp tip concentrates it like a lightning rod. Add a loop and suddenly nothing to see. Another way of looking at this is that at high power, a sharp element tip is basically trying to turn into a tiny plasma ball (corona discharge). If we round it off, it never gets to form = lot less heat.
This video covers:
dropping the tower again (of course…)
measuring and extending the driven element and reflector
a quick-and-dirty field method using an SWR calculator
checking and correcting alignment on the beam
dealing with wind, rope stretch and the realities of working at height
and a first check of the new resonance once it’s back up
There’s also a bit of discussion around:
why height changes tuning
why every part of a mast system is effectively a single point of failure
and how small gains (a few dB here and there) all add up to a noticeably better station
I’ve slightly overcooked the length – but it’s close enough for now and easily trimmed later.
Next job will be building a proper choke to replace the temporary one, and squeezing a bit more performance out of the system.
Thanks for watching – see you on the next one.
PS : the "loop fix"… It’s not current heating the ends – it’s voltage trying to escape. A sharp tip concentrates it like a lightning rod. Add a loop and suddenly nothing to see. Another way of looking at this is that at high power, a sharp element tip is basically trying to turn into a tiny plasma ball. If we round it off, it never gets to form. Easy. Callum.
New Tanker Radio Gear:
New Tank Radio Pillow – https://www.etsy.com/listing/4295008136/tank-radio-pillow-for-amateur-radio
New Tank Radio Black Out T Shirt – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-black-out-t-shirt-on-demand-order
Tank US Band Plan Pad – https://quirkyqrphamradios.etsy.com/listing/1657938891
Hoodies – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-hoodie-limited-time
Boonie Hats – https://www.gigaparts.com/tank-radio-logo-boonie-hat.html
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Amateur Radio Power: Testing Transmit Wattage on 2 Meters #shorts
Curious about radio power consumption? See the idle draw (0.29A, 3.9W) and then key up: low power (3.26A), mid-power (5.4A), and full power (11.04A, 139.6W).
👉 Full Video: https://youtu.be/wMUwT9DaeTs
👉 Find this radio on eBay: https://geni.us/V3nci9
👉 Get the TOADs DI or DI6 here: https://temporarilyoffline.com
👉 3d Printed Case: https://hamradiolife.shop/KM9G (5% off with code KM9G)
👉 Surecom SW-102 Meter: https://geni.us/IAKUo
👉 Surecom SW-102 Case: https://geni.us/RYRBl
👉 100w Dummy Load: https://geni.us/eTZ18Uh
👉 DC Power Meter: https://geni.us/mt4hG
Noel, VK3AL, describes their antenna setup and asks for Dave’s opinion. Between a steel fence, close houses, and other antennas, is it possible for Noel to setup another antenna?
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Videographed and Edited by Teagan Kulbeth, KF0UTR
#amateur radio
#ham radio
#technician license
#general license
#extra license
#ham radio training
#ke0og
#dave casler
#ham radio answers
#icom 7300
#antenna
#dipole
#end fed dipole
#mag loop
#magnetic loop antennas
To learn more about me, visit: https://dcasler.com
To support my channel financially, visit: https://dcasler.com/support (offers several options)
To pose an Ask Dave question, email to askdave@arrl.org. Feel free to include pictures or drawings to help clarify. I may answer your question directly, via an Ask Dave video, or in my monthly column "Ask Dave" in QST.
Theme music is "Sour Tennessee Red," by John Deley and the 41 Players, courtesy YouTube Music Library. You can listen to the entire song here: https://youtu.be/Vfc9sAQjJtc
I use drawings from OpenClipArt.org, including the "walking man"
Thanks to my sweet wife, Loretta, KBØVWW, for both audio and video assistance! (Her website is www.aldea-art.com.)
My primary website: http://www.dcasler.com
My publishing website: http://www.mtsneffelspress.com, where you can find my fantasy and science fiction books.
My Amazon author page, which lists my print and Kindle books: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00471I0Q4.
2026 Go Kit Challenge: Winner Portable Setups Tour
Ham radio enthusiasts at the 2026 Go Kit Challenge in Texas display ingenious portable stations, including solar-powered Xiegu G90 and VHF/UHF combos with vertical antennas transported via wagon and shielded containers for efficient POTA activations. Brandon honors his father’s legacy by completing a modular, multi-box system with high-capacity batteries, inverters, and computer integration for versatile field use from parks to overnighters. Greg shares a club-oriented, 12V-optimized rig with digital mode support, homemade mast extensions, and flexible power options to encourage new operators in monthly POTA outings and Field Day.
Links:
Beach Sun Shelters,Instant – https://amzn.to/4sZrxlU
Beelink Mini S12 Mini PC – https://amzn.to/4uF75Zj
70cm Yagi – https://www.gigaparts.com/chameleon-antennas-cha-tacyagi-70-tactical-foldable-yagi.html
New Tanker Radio Gear:
New Tank Radio Pillow – https://www.etsy.com/listing/4295008136/tank-radio-pillow-for-amateur-radio
New Tank Radio Black Out T Shirt – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-black-out-t-shirt-on-demand-order
Tank US Band Plan Pad – https://quirkyqrphamradios.etsy.com/listing/1657938891
Hoodies – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/tank-radio-hoodie-limited-time
Boonie Hats – https://www.gigaparts.com/tank-radio-logo-boonie-hat.html
Sticker Pack – https://grapevineamateurradio.com/collections/combo-packs/products/tank-radio-official-sticker-pack
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RollerCam Website – https://classic.avantlink.com/click.php?tool_type=ml&merchant_link_id=6e7562a0-f7b0-4d9a-b15e-25ce3aedb94a&website_id=16611296-f891-4f8b-8010-5fa29c2cab5f
5% off selected Items at Gigaparts- https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=KG5AHJ%20INFLUENCER%20PAGE
5% off at Alpha Antenna – https://www.alphaantenna.com/?aff=20
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Follow me on:
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Join me and Sean, W9FFF, from the @DudeTested channel to talk about this ongoing gamification of FT8 in #hamradio
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Thanks for watching!
#ft8 #kc5hwb
Tonight we are joined by Elle-Marie @shesonfrequency to talk about her ham radio journey and youtube channel. Gordo brings us a new Short Shots on the humble Dipole antenna, Don has a fresh Amateur Radio Newsline and Amanda shares a Ham-It, Can-it, Or-What-Am-It! Thanks for watching!
Huge thanks to ICOM for supporting Ham Nation on the Ham Radio Crash Course and their twice monthly giveaways! https://hamnation.icomamerica.com/ New LINK!
YL WWA: https://hamaward.cloud/wwayl
Need QSL cards? Consider printing with Amanda! http://www.peakprintingonline.com/index.php/qsl-cards/
Gordon West’s Study Material can be found here: https://www.gordonwestradioschool.com/
Don Wilbanks’ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHXqPB2Ya0yGTtZtfcO5avQ
Randy K7AGE: https://www.youtube.com/user/K7AGE
Dr. Tamitha Skove: https://www.spaceweatherwoman.com/
Amateur Radio Newsline: https://www.arnewsline.org/
Want the best HT antenna? Signal Stuff Signal Stick https://signalstuff.com/?ref=622 (This is an affliate link)
Looking for the best deal on the Ed Fong J-Pole? https://www.kbcubed.com/DBJ-2H-Amateur-Ham-2m-70cm-Dual-Band-Portable-Rollup-Antenna-by-Ed-Fong-p406009746
The Coax I use is ABR Industries (10% off with code: "abr10hrcc"): https://abrind.com/?sld=6
I use Ham Radio Deluxe: https://www.hamradiodeluxe.com/aff/2DC45C837DEE2A018A2BCB345A2E3900/index.html?subid=558903
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Good Value HTs: HTs: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/?cmid=amsreGRvTmttM0k9&afid=Mkx1eE1uN2M0S1k9&ats=bHNrMHVhZ3lZcjQ9
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